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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tomorrow, October 31st, is the big day, the release of Dauntless, the third and final instalment of the Nevermore Trilogy and I’m just a tad bit excited. Okay, I’m -over -the -top -nearly - peed- my- pants- excited!
To help Dauntless shoot out of the starting gate, I’m asking that those who are waiting oh so impatiently for it, to please purchase it between 6-7pm PST to help with the Amazon rankings. This will help me be seen by even more readers, something every author wants and hopes for.

After the writing journey I’ve been on so far (looking for an agent, found an agent, agent is too busy for me, floundered on my own for a bit, now self publishing while agent is in the wings) for me this is a big accomplishment to see a full trilogy published and doing well.

I feel it’s in large part because of YOU my readers. How so? The feedback has been phenomenal, the reviews are 99% 4-5 stars and were not talking just one or two reviews. We’re talking 60+ reviews between the first two Nevermore books, Sundered and Bound. That has given me the encouragement I needed to continue pursuing self publishing.

I wouldn’t be here without my readers and supporters and I want to find a way to thank you. I thought about money and jewels, fast cars and exotic vacations . . . And then I realized what you would all want.

A new story from the Nevermore World.

Tomorrow in conjunction with the release of Dauntless, I have a short story called “No Way Safe” that will be published in the e-zine Forever Nocturne.

The short story follows Annie and Dustin, a brother sister duo as they face packs of insatiable Nevermores, a gun toting crazy woman in a bright purple muumuu and the very daunting task of surviving in that deadly world on their own. Though the short story will leave you hanging (you aren’t really surprised are you?) you will get to see the culmination of Annie and Dustin’s journey in Dauntless.

Again, thank you for all your support and reviews. It is for YOU that I write my stories and I love hearing that you get swept away in them and care about the characters as much as I do. You are the best. =)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I’ve had several guest editors on my blog that have written about the importance of getting your work edited before you self publish. The general consensus is that (and I agree with this) all writers should have their work edited prior to self publishing.

But there is a conundrum when it comes to the market. Readers want books that are inexpensive and often won’t take a chance on a new author if the book is over .99. They are afraid to put money out for a book that isn’t put together well. I don’t blame them. I have seen a number of e-books by self published authors that are not only riddled with mistakes, but also look as if the author hasn’t cared to even attempt a proper e-book design.

You know, the book is missing things like chapters, an attempt at formatting, spell check. Basics that should be done no matter what you decide to charge.

So I don’t blame the readers one bit for not wanting to take a chance on an e-book. I get frustrated too.

There are authors who say that they can’t afford editors if they are only going to be putting the book up for .99. Their argument is something along the lines of what do you expect for a .99 book? Again, I can understand that. Let’s say you put $1000 worth of editing into a book (that’s not a lot by the way, that is a mid-low range of cost) and then you put your book up for .99. Under the current royalty rate at Amazon, you need to sell over 2800 books just to break even. That’s a lot of books.

But what if there was a different way to go about this? A way to, in a sense, reward authors who’ve taken the time and money to properly edit their books prior to publishing them?

Stay with me here. I know that there are flaws in what I’m about to suggest, but it’s an idea that may prove some merit if you give it a chance.

What if when you uploaded your book to Amazon (just for simplicities sake I’m going to use Amazon as my example) there was a section that said “Tag your Editor”. And then there was a list of *(1)*Editors registered with Amazon. You scroll through, find your editor and then tag them.

In my case that would be Jessica Klassen and Melissa Breau.

Then Amazon sends an email to these to lovely gals asking for confirmation that they did indeed edit my work. The click on the yes and now my book has confirmation of being edited.

What would this accomplish you ask? Two things.

1.It would show readers that the book was, at the very least, edited.

2.It would allow the author to charge a higher price for their book if they chose to.

You see, my idea is that if you aren’t an edited author, you can still publish your book, but you can’t charge more than .99 for it. Quality and cost can now intersect on Amazon.

In fact, to take this a step further, why not have Amazon break the Indie Authors into two sections? Edited and un-edited. That way the reader can decide where they want to spend their money and their time, with authors who *(2)* can’t/won’t/don’t edit or they can spend their money on authors who think enough of themselves and their work to put in a little time and effort.

If you have editors you could still choose to do a discount of .99 for your book, but again, readers would be able to see that you have CONFIRMATION of editing have been done.

Like I mentioned, there are flaws to my plan, but they could be worked out. This would give readers some idea of the quality of book they were purchasing and allow them to feel more at ease with a slightly higher price for an indie author’s book, which would in turn help the author make a living.

After what I’ve read in indie books, I can tell you that while there are a large number of authors who would never publish their book without editing, there are also a large number of authors who don’t, for a variety of reasons even make an attempt at having their work edited. The unfortunate part of this is that the people who need to get editing done are rarely the ones researching and finding out what the industry standard is, because if they were, there would be no need for this discussion.

*(1)*The editors would have to somehow prove that they were indeed legit before being able to get on the list and it could be broken down into country too. Perhaps they would have to supply Amazon with either a reg. Number from an editors association or proof of employment with a publisher or perhaps just website. I don’t know the answer to this one, it’s one of the flaws in my system that could easily be taken advantage of.

*(2)*There are a LOT of editors out there who are reasonable, I don’t think it’s a matter of can you afford to edit, but can you afford not to. Save your pennies, you can hire an editor, even if it’s for a single pass through the manuscript, it’s worth it.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

First off, let me say thank you to all who participated in the Cover Art Poll and the Win an iPad contests. Without participants, they’d just be big flops and that would be awful!

The randomly drawn winner of the 16 e-books from the Cover Art Poll is . . .

Erin Bachand

(Commenter #17) Erin, I will have the authors of all the books contact you in order to get the e-books to you. Congratulations!

The author whose cover garnered the most votes and will now be featured on the other author’s blogs for a minimum of 1 post. By a slim hair (only 1 vote) the winning cover is . . . .#8

Dawn of Darkness by Daniel A Kaine.

Thank you to all the wonderful authors, the cover art is so fantastic and I’m looking forward already to next month’s cover art poll where another 15 covers will go up and be looking for your votes. If you are an indie author and would like to take part in an upcoming poll, you can contact me at motionsrider@yahoo.ca

But I’m betting some of you are looking forward to the really, really big news. You want to know who won the iPad, don’t you?

You’ll have to scroll down for this.

A little more.

I need a drum roll or something.

Okay I give.

The winner is . . . . .

SHEREE TIEHS

*throws confetti*

I just sent the iPad off to Sheree today and she will be emailing me a picture with her happy smiling face and her new iPad as soon as she gets it.

But wait, there’s more! I will be releasing the first book in a new trilogy in December and you’ll have another chance to win big.

Not just any bit,Apple iPad 2 big. So stay tuned, it will be a limited time offer and one that you’ll have to jump on if you want a chance to win.

Last but not least, a reminder that Dauntless, Nevermore Trilogy Book III will be released October 31/2011.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Vote for your favourite and be put in a draw where you can win 16 e-books! One book from each of the authors who participate and one from me, the host of the poll. You can only choose 1 cover as your favourite and you can only get a single entry, no matter how many times you comment.

The winner will be announced on October the 15 and entries will be taken until noon on the 15th.

The winning cover art will then be displayed on all the other author’s blogs who have participated this month for a minimum of 1 blog post.

If you’d like to have your cover art involved in the November Indie Cover Art Poll, send the cover, a short blurb and one link to motionsrider@yahoo.ca

Jacob and Noah Garrett are brothers harbouring a lifelong resentment towards each other while dealing with their own compulsive obsessions. One is a liberal gay man who forsakes his family and moves to New York City from Tennessee to make his mark on the world.
The other is a southern conservative who is left at home holding the proverbial family bag. The story follows their loosely intertwined lives through the wild times of the late seventies and the restraint of the Reagan years in which one brother ends up becoming a minister and preaching his doctrine while the other believes there are some things people are born with and not meant to change.
Well with My Soul deals with themes of sexuality, religion, and addiction and is told through the perspective of both brothers showing how misguided choices can drastically affect those around you for years to come. (#2)
More about this book and author click here

"In stories of rugged roads, hopes, pleasures and dreams, The Chakra Diaries weaves 10 people's lives together in a work of art for the heart. It's New Age fiction you'll want to read for its wisdom as much as for its drama, passion, sensuality and humour." ~ Marya Mann, PhD, Brave New Viewsletter (#3)

In this sequel to The Chosen, the Chosen and their Guardians find themselves thrust into a whirlwind adventure spanning multiple planets.

The inhabitants of Astra have been terrorized by a madman, the peaceful Jhinn of planet Earth have been taken by their enemies, four more of the Chosen are killed, and the Mekans have divided their forces and have landed on both Volgon and Astra.

Can the Chosen find a way to work through their differences and defeat their common enemy? (#4)

While two women vie for his heart, a hunt for killers thrusts Jake Driver into a life and death battle with a brutal drug gang, and into the cross hairs of a ruthless archenemy he pursued a generation ago.

As he sails to and from the Caribbean, Jake’s two worlds collide: one, the violent and dangerous thrill ride he mounts when he serves his country as a federal agent, the other, a realm of love, sex and poignant storybook endings he creates in romance novels.

A dangerous operative and hopeless romantic, Jake has issues to resolve before he can commit to any one woman. (#5)

Sigrid and Suko are two girls from the impoverished and crime-infested streets of 24th century Earth. Sold into slavery to save their families from financial ruin, the girls are forced to live out their lives in service to the Kimura Corporation, a prestigious mercenary clan with a lineage stretching back long before the formation of the Federated Corporations.

Known only to Kimura, the two girls share startling secret—a rare genetic structure not found in tens of millions of other girls.

But when their secret becomes known, Sigrid and Suko quickly find themselves at the center of a struggle for power. Now, hunted by men who would seek to control them, Sigrid and Suko are forced to fight for their own survival, and for the freedom of the girls from Alcyone.(#6)
More about this book and author click here

Conservatively raised Catholic, Lisa, at age thirteen, would suddenly find herself on a totally different path. Through an unlikely chance meeting of a fellow classmate, she would soon find herself innocently taking their relationship to a foreign level neither saw coming...finding out what they are made of as they face the consequences and struggles that come along with going against the grain.

Told in a raw, honest format, this memoir will stay with you long after the last word is read, haunting you with one question: How can loving someone ever be wrong? (#7)

Unburdened by the pain of loss and heartbreak, Mikhail is content with his life of solitude. But everything began to change the day he realised he has a psychic ability -- the power to alter the emotions of those around him.

Mikhail is ushered into the Military Academy with others like him -- other Daevas -- where he does his part to help tip the scales of war against the vampires that destroyed the world and plague what remains of humanity. But after going up against his first vampire, Mikhail starts to question everything he thought to be true.

To discover the truth and expose the lies he once believed, Mikhail will set out on a journey of discovery, and learn some things about himself in the process. (#8)

Seven Point Eight: The most powerful number in the universe, the number that connects everything.

Be prepared for a journey that draws together fringe science, psychedelic research, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, consciousness, mysticism, time travel, past lives, miracles, folklore, conspiracy and nostalgia in a soap opera for the soul.

‘The First Chronicle’ lays the groundwork and sweeps through the 40s, 50s and 60s to modern day in a wild nostalgic, scientific, paranormal ride. (#10)

CIA Special Ops Team, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is sent overseas on a Top Secret mission. Once the mission is completed, they rapidly realize they are merely Pawns in an International Chess Game that turns into a Political Firestorm.

As a result, they are disavowed. Accompanied by Firefights, Fate, and Faith, they finally find a way home. After arriving, they discover governmental abuses of the Constitution.

Will they survive long enough to thwart these enemies of the State? (#11)

Martian Divides picks up the Martian Symbiont story two years after the end of Martian Blues. The Martians who returned to Earth hundreds of years ago finally found human women who were compatible with them and their telepathic symbiont. With the additional issue of defending Earth from hostile aliens now resolved, the Martians decide it's safe to return to their one true passion: space travel. Only one group of beings can threaten their plans.

Angry that most other people now carry the alien telepathic life form, the underground insists that what's left of real humanity is in danger. They believe Martian influence on society puts them at a disadvantage, so they set out to prove their humanity still has a voice. When they attack a Martian, the resulting mental shock wave has consequences felt around the world. (#12)

The heroes of New Olympus are back in a new, modern mythological romp! When young people start disappearing from the streets of New Olympus, Detective Theseus is on the case – even if no one wants him on it. The Heroes Union has expelled him, the NOPD has suspended him, and his ex-fiancée may want him dead, but Theseus is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.

To do so, he’ll have to deal with a family of serial killers, centaur wedding crashers, a reclusive inventor, his father’s new girlfriend, and more. The truth behind the disappearances lies in the center of a labyrinthine maze and it’s being guarded by a monstrous horned creature – and it’s hungry.(#13)

Adam O’Brien closed his eyes to go to sleep. When he woke four days later his world was gone. He was alone. His parents had disappeared. The gaping wound on his head and the scratches on his arms were the only testimony to a tragic horror.

Waking in a room of luxury that seemed familiar he was greeted by Nicolas, a friendly stranger, who provided him a haven to rest and recuperate. It was not long before Adam realized something was very wrong and all that was held true was a lie. An unnatural presence lurked in the shadows, a force as strong as the devil.

As Nicolas slowly offers Adam the answers he desperately seeks and reveals an unspeakable crime, Adam comes to understand that he is connected to a family cursed for thousands of years, born to bear a burden even they don’t understand.(#14)

Saturday, October 08, 2011

What I'd like to do is have some self published authors (or their readers) send me their book covers. First 10 covers get put into the poll.

Then I will do a blog which will allow readers to vote on which cover they think is best. Each person who comments will get their name put in for a draw.

The prize to the commenter who gets their name drawn is all ten authors will give them a copy of their e-book. That's 10 books people!

The winning cover art will be promoted on all the other authors blogs for a day. Yes, you can get your friends to vote for you, in fact, it's encouraged.

This is a way for us indie authors to support one another while still promoting our own, and each others work. And I think it has potential to be a lot of fun.

So this is it. Indie authors, send me an email at motionsrider@yahoo.ca with a jpg. of your cover. First 10 authors who get me their covers are in. :)

As soon as I have enough covers, I will contact all participating authors and we'll put this poll up.

Now, GO!

**Because of the tremendous response to this, I will now be doing a MONTHLY cover art poll with the same parameters as in this post. So if you'd like to be a part of a future poll, send me your cover**

Monday, October 03, 2011

Yay :D I love my cover artist Patricia Schmitt (who by the way may just do a little guest post on here sometime in the near future) she does amazing work and is so great about any changes I'd like. Did I mention that she was amazing? I'd love to know what you think so leave me a comment and I will pass them on to Trish so she can have some feedback too.

Here is Dauntless . . . No blurb yet . . .

What?? You haven't read the first two books yet? Well, here's the covers and the links, you'd better get on it. ;-p

A paranormal romance set in a post apocalyptic world, Mara and Sebastian fight off marauders and monsters alike. But Sebastian carries a dark secret, one that more than threatens to tear them apart, it threatens to destroy them both and the love they have for each other. The secret forces Mara to make the ultimate choice. Will she live for love, or will she live to survive?

Rumours and whispers of a cure have reached Mara’s ears and hope that has been denied for so long begins to grow once more. But, if she is to find the cure, to help Sebastian, she must face down a whole new set of dangers.

A sadistic army General who’s hatred knows no bounds.

A brilliant scientist whose love for his lost wife drives him to madness.

And a new pack of Nevermores . . .

Bound, Book II of the Nevermore Trilogy is also available on Amazon and Smashwords